The new leaders.

BE WAS REMISS TO NOT INCLUDE RUSSELL Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications (No. 14 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list) and chairman of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network as part of the new regime of African American leaders ("Black Leadership: The Next Generation," Newspoints, July 2003).

Mr. Simmons is aware of the economic clout of black Americans, especially the "hip-hop generation;' and is successfully harnessing this power to bring about social and political justice for blacks and the poor in general. His formula is novel in our community because he realizes the benefits of including all poor people, regardless of ethnicity, in the fight for social justices [and the] struggle for equality.

As much as we try to fight it, cash really does rule everything around us. This country was built on capitalism. We were brought to this country in the name of capitalism. Black people are the only ethnic minority in this country to have attempted to gain political power before establishing a sound economic base. We must fight fire with fire.

Mr. Simmons is truly on the right track by using his voice and weight to effect positive change. I hope that your magazine has not fallen into the trap of "culture bashing" or "playa hatin"--as it might be called in the hip-hop community, and have therefore discounted a committed and significant young leader.

Wendy M. Brown

Wilmington, Delaware

Editor's Note: You make an excellent case for Russell Simmons' inclusion among the next generation of African American leaders. But rest assured that we are not playa hatin' on Simmons, who has graced the cover of he twice, most recently when Bush Communications was named our Industrial/Service Company of the Year ("Phat Profits," June 2002).